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<tr><td class="play" align="center">The Merchant of Venice
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    | <A href="/Shakespeare/merchant/">Merchant of Venice</A> 
    | Act 1, Scene 3
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<H3>SCENE III. Venice. A public place.</h3>

<p><blockquote>
<i>Enter BASSANIO and SHYLOCK</i>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech1><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=1>Three thousand ducats; well.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech2><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=2>Ay, sir, for three months.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech3><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=3>For three months; well.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech4><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=4>For the which, as I told you, Antonio shall be bound.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech5><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=5>Antonio shall become bound; well.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech6><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=6>May you stead me? will you pleasure me? shall I</A><br>
<A NAME=7>know your answer?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech7><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=8>Three thousand ducats for three months and Antonio bound.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech8><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=9>Your answer to that.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech9><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=10>Antonio is a good man.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech10><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=11>Have you heard any imputation to the contrary?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech11><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=12>Oh, no, no, no, no: my meaning in saying he is a</A><br>
<A NAME=13>good man is to have you understand me that he is</A><br>
<A NAME=14>sufficient. Yet his means are in supposition: he</A><br>
<A NAME=15>hath an argosy bound to Tripolis, another to the</A><br>
<A NAME=16>Indies; I understand moreover, upon the Rialto, he</A><br>
<A NAME=17>hath a third at Mexico, a fourth for England, and</A><br>
<A NAME=18>other ventures he hath, squandered abroad. But ships</A><br>
<A NAME=19>are but boards, sailors but men: there be land-rats</A><br>
<A NAME=20>and water-rats, water-thieves and land-thieves, I</A><br>
<A NAME=21>mean pirates, and then there is the peril of waters,</A><br>
<A NAME=22>winds and rocks. The man is, notwithstanding,</A><br>
<A NAME=23>sufficient. Three thousand ducats; I think I may</A><br>
<A NAME=24>take his bond.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech12><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=25>Be assured you may.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech13><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=26>I will be assured I may; and, that I may be assured,</A><br>
<A NAME=27>I will bethink me. May I speak with Antonio?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech14><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=28>If it please you to dine with us.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech15><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=29>Yes, to smell pork; to eat of the habitation which</A><br>
<A NAME=30>your prophet the Nazarite conjured the devil into. I</A><br>
<A NAME=31>will buy with you, sell with you, talk with you,</A><br>
<A NAME=32>walk with you, and so following, but I will not eat</A><br>
<A NAME=33>with you, drink with you, nor pray with you. What</A><br>
<A NAME=34>news on the Rialto? Who is he comes here?</A><br>
<p><i>Enter ANTONIO</i></p>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech16><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=35>This is Signior Antonio.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech17><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=36>[Aside]  How like a fawning publican he looks!</A><br>
<A NAME=37>I hate him for he is a Christian,</A><br>
<A NAME=38>But more for that in low simplicity</A><br>
<A NAME=39>He lends out money gratis and brings down</A><br>
<A NAME=40>The rate of usance here with us in Venice.</A><br>
<A NAME=41>If I can catch him once upon the hip,</A><br>
<A NAME=42>I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.</A><br>
<A NAME=43>He hates our sacred nation, and he rails,</A><br>
<A NAME=44>Even there where merchants most do congregate,</A><br>
<A NAME=45>On me, my bargains and my well-won thrift,</A><br>
<A NAME=46>Which he calls interest. Cursed be my tribe,</A><br>
<A NAME=47>If I forgive him!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech18><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=48>                  Shylock, do you hear?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech19><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=49>I am debating of my present store,</A><br>
<A NAME=50>And, by the near guess of my memory,</A><br>
<A NAME=51>I cannot instantly raise up the gross</A><br>
<A NAME=52>Of full three thousand ducats. What of that?</A><br>
<A NAME=53>Tubal, a wealthy Hebrew of my tribe,</A><br>
<A NAME=54>Will furnish me. But soft! how many months</A><br>
<A NAME=55>Do you desire?</A><br>
<p><i>To ANTONIO</i></p>
<A NAME=56>Rest you fair, good signior;</A><br>
<A NAME=57>Your worship was the last man in our mouths.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech20><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=58>Shylock, although I neither lend nor borrow</A><br>
<A NAME=59>By taking nor by giving of excess,</A><br>
<A NAME=60>Yet, to supply the ripe wants of my friend,</A><br>
<A NAME=61>I'll break a custom. Is he yet possess'd</A><br>
<A NAME=62>How much ye would?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech21><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=63>                  Ay, ay, three thousand ducats.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech22><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=64>And for three months.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech23><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=65>I had forgot; three months; you told me so.</A><br>
<A NAME=66>Well then, your bond; and let me see; but hear you;</A><br>
<A NAME=67>Methought you said you neither lend nor borrow</A><br>
<A NAME=68>Upon advantage.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech24><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=69>                  I do never use it.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech25><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=70>When Jacob grazed his uncle Laban's sheep--</A><br>
<A NAME=71>This Jacob from our holy Abram was,</A><br>
<A NAME=72>As his wise mother wrought in his behalf,</A><br>
<A NAME=73>The third possessor; ay, he was the third--</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech26><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=74>And what of him? did he take interest?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech27><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=75>No, not take interest, not, as you would say,</A><br>
<A NAME=76>Directly interest: mark what Jacob did.</A><br>
<A NAME=77>When Laban and himself were compromised</A><br>
<A NAME=78>That all the eanlings which were streak'd and pied</A><br>
<A NAME=79>Should fall as Jacob's hire, the ewes, being rank,</A><br>
<A NAME=80>In the end of autumn turned to the rams,</A><br>
<A NAME=81>And, when the work of generation was</A><br>
<A NAME=82>Between these woolly breeders in the act,</A><br>
<A NAME=83>The skilful shepherd peel'd me certain wands,</A><br>
<A NAME=84>And, in the doing of the deed of kind,</A><br>
<A NAME=85>He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes,</A><br>
<A NAME=86>Who then conceiving did in eaning time</A><br>
<A NAME=87>Fall parti-colour'd lambs, and those were Jacob's.</A><br>
<A NAME=88>This was a way to thrive, and he was blest:</A><br>
<A NAME=89>And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech28><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=90>This was a venture, sir, that Jacob served for;</A><br>
<A NAME=91>A thing not in his power to bring to pass,</A><br>
<A NAME=92>But sway'd and fashion'd by the hand of heaven.</A><br>
<A NAME=93>Was this inserted to make interest good?</A><br>
<A NAME=94>Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech29><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=95>I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast:</A><br>
<A NAME=96>But note me, signior.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech30><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=97>Mark you this, Bassanio,</A><br>
<A NAME=98>The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.</A><br>
<A NAME=99>An evil soul producing holy witness</A><br>
<A NAME=100>Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,</A><br>
<A NAME=101>A goodly apple rotten at the heart:</A><br>
<A NAME=102>O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech31><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=103>Three thousand ducats; 'tis a good round sum.</A><br>
<A NAME=104>Three months from twelve; then, let me see; the rate--</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech32><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=105>Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech33><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=106>Signior Antonio, many a time and oft</A><br>
<A NAME=107>In the Rialto you have rated me</A><br>
<A NAME=108>About my moneys and my usances:</A><br>
<A NAME=109>Still have I borne it with a patient shrug,</A><br>
<A NAME=110>For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.</A><br>
<A NAME=111>You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog,</A><br>
<A NAME=112>And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine,</A><br>
<A NAME=113>And all for use of that which is mine own.</A><br>
<A NAME=114>Well then, it now appears you need my help:</A><br>
<A NAME=115>Go to, then; you come to me, and you say</A><br>
<A NAME=116>'Shylock, we would have moneys:' you say so;</A><br>
<A NAME=117>You, that did void your rheum upon my beard</A><br>
<A NAME=118>And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur</A><br>
<A NAME=119>Over your threshold: moneys is your suit</A><br>
<A NAME=120>What should I say to you? Should I not say</A><br>
<A NAME=121>'Hath a dog money? is it possible</A><br>
<A NAME=122>A cur can lend three thousand ducats?' Or</A><br>
<A NAME=123>Shall I bend low and in a bondman's key,</A><br>
<A NAME=124>With bated breath and whispering humbleness, Say this;</A><br>
<A NAME=125>'Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last;</A><br>
<A NAME=126>You spurn'd me such a day; another time</A><br>
<A NAME=127>You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies</A><br>
<A NAME=128>I'll lend you thus much moneys'?</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech34><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=129>I am as like to call thee so again,</A><br>
<A NAME=130>To spit on thee again, to spurn thee too.</A><br>
<A NAME=131>If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not</A><br>
<A NAME=132>As to thy friends; for when did friendship take</A><br>
<A NAME=133>A breed for barren metal of his friend?</A><br>
<A NAME=134>But lend it rather to thine enemy,</A><br>
<A NAME=135>Who, if he break, thou mayst with better face</A><br>
<A NAME=136>Exact the penalty.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech35><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=137>                  Why, look you, how you storm!</A><br>
<A NAME=138>I would be friends with you and have your love,</A><br>
<A NAME=139>Forget the shames that you have stain'd me with,</A><br>
<A NAME=140>Supply your present wants and take no doit</A><br>
<A NAME=141>Of usance for my moneys, and you'll not hear me:</A><br>
<A NAME=142>This is kind I offer.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech36><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=143>This were kindness.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech37><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=144>This kindness will I show.</A><br>
<A NAME=145>Go with me to a notary, seal me there</A><br>
<A NAME=146>Your single bond; and, in a merry sport,</A><br>
<A NAME=147>If you repay me not on such a day,</A><br>
<A NAME=148>In such a place, such sum or sums as are</A><br>
<A NAME=149>Express'd in the condition, let the forfeit</A><br>
<A NAME=150>Be nominated for an equal pound</A><br>
<A NAME=151>Of your fair flesh, to be cut off and taken</A><br>
<A NAME=152>In what part of your body pleaseth me.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech38><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=153>Content, i' faith: I'll seal to such a bond</A><br>
<A NAME=154>And say there is much kindness in the Jew.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech39><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=155>You shall not seal to such a bond for me:</A><br>
<A NAME=156>I'll rather dwell in my necessity.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech40><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=157>Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it:</A><br>
<A NAME=158>Within these two months, that's a month before</A><br>
<A NAME=159>This bond expires, I do expect return</A><br>
<A NAME=160>Of thrice three times the value of this bond.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech41><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=161>O father Abram, what these Christians are,</A><br>
<A NAME=162>Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect</A><br>
<A NAME=163>The thoughts of others! Pray you, tell me this;</A><br>
<A NAME=164>If he should break his day, what should I gain</A><br>
<A NAME=165>By the exaction of the forfeiture?</A><br>
<A NAME=166>A pound of man's flesh taken from a man</A><br>
<A NAME=167>Is not so estimable, profitable neither,</A><br>
<A NAME=168>As flesh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say,</A><br>
<A NAME=169>To buy his favour, I extend this friendship:</A><br>
<A NAME=170>If he will take it, so; if not, adieu;</A><br>
<A NAME=171>And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech42><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=172>Yes Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech43><b>SHYLOCK</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=173>Then meet me forthwith at the notary's;</A><br>
<A NAME=174>Give him direction for this merry bond,</A><br>
<A NAME=175>And I will go and purse the ducats straight,</A><br>
<A NAME=176>See to my house, left in the fearful guard</A><br>
<A NAME=177>Of an unthrifty knave, and presently</A><br>
<A NAME=178>I will be with you.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech44><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=179>Hie thee, gentle Jew.</A><br>
<p><i>Exit Shylock</i></p>
<A NAME=180>The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech45><b>BASSANIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=181>I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.</A><br>
</blockquote>

<A NAME=speech46><b>ANTONIO</b></a>
<blockquote>
<A NAME=182>Come on: in this there can be no dismay;</A><br>
<A NAME=183>My ships come home a month before the day.</A><br>
<p><i>Exeunt</i></p>
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##scene iii. venice. a public place.##

*enter bassanio and shylock*
##scene iii. venice. a public place.##

*enter bassanio and shylock*
##scene iii. venice. a public place.##

*enter bassanio and shylock*
##scene iii. venice. a public place.##

*enter bassanio and shylock*
